Radiator return trap



Nov. 1, 1932.. A. P. CROSBY RADIATOR RETURN TRAP Filed Nov. 2, 1931 Fig. 1

M fw S X A M 3C p llllllllll IF 1 M Patented Nov. 1, 1932 i I "UNITED. STATES PATENTIFFIYCE ARTHUR P. CROSBY OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA RADIATOR RETURN TRAP Application filed November 2, 1931. Serial No. 572,584.

My invention relates to radiator return the auxiliary valve moved to bring the steam traps and particularly to a device to be used indicating means into operation. in conjunction therewith for indicating the Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the movable escape of steam past the valve mechanism part of the auxiliary valve. thereof. 1 In ordinary heating systems and particu- An object or" the invention resides in prolarly vacuum systems where a large number Viding a trap comprising a body formed with of radiator return traps are employed consida chamber therein and having an inlet and erable difficulty hasbeen encounteredwhen R an outlet communicating therewith and a loss of vacuum in the system occurred valve seat formed in said body between the through leaking traps in ascertaining which an outlet and chamber therein, together with a of the traps was leaking. In such cases it temperature controlled valve member adaptbecame necessary to remove each trap from ed to seat against said valve seat. the installation before the detective valve Another object of the invention resides in could be discovered. The present lnvention providing a bore within said body communiprovides a device in which the'leaking valve an eating with said outlet and chamber through may quickly be singled out and in which the said valve, and in providing steam indicatamount of leakage may be roughly detering means adapted to communicate with said mined. bore. The radiator return trap, whichI have A still further object of the invention reillustrated in the drawing is indicated in its sides in providing an auxiliary valve operentirety at A and comprises a cylindrical able to bring said steam indicating means into body 10, open at the top and internally communication with said bore. threaded at 11 to receive a cap or closure 12 Another object of the invention resides in therefor. This bodyis hollowto form a-cham- 25 providing means operable in conjunction ber 13 within the same. At one side of the with said auxiliary valve for shutting off body 10, is formed a pipe connection 14L procommunication between said outlet and said viding an inlet into the chamber 13 of said chamber during the operation of said steam body, which connection is externally threadindicating means. ed at 15 to receive a clamp nut'16 by means 4 An object of the invention resides in emof which the entire trap may be rigidly ploying a passageway adapted to communimounted upon the usual nipple 17 of the racate with said bore and controlled through diator with which the trap is to be used. said auxiliary valve. The lower portion of the body 10 of the A feature of the invention resides in contrap is constructed with a neck 18 having 35 structing'said passageway to form a steam a bore 19 extending therethrough and com- 80 nozzle for indicating the escape of steam municating with the chamber 13 within the through said return trap valve. body 10. A valve indicated at 31' serves to Other objects of the invention reside in control the flow of fluid between the chamthe novel combination and arrangement of ber 13 and the bore 19 and is thermostatically parts and in the details of construction herecontrolled to exclude the passage of steam inafter illustrated and/or described. into said bore but to allow the flow o1 water In the drawing: therethrough. The lower end of the neck Fig. lis-an elevational sectional view taken 18 is threaded as designated at 21 to form through a radiator return trap illustrating a pipe connection which may be connected an embodiment of my invention, and showto the return pipe of the heating system with ing the trap in normal operation. which the trap is to be used.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 The valve 31 includes a valve seat 20 which of Fig. 1 with the parts disposed in the same is formed in the body 10 at the upper end of relation as shown in Fig. 1. the neck 18 and which encircles the bore 19.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing Within the body 10 is disposed a thermoresponsive element 23, which includes a valve member 24 adapted to seat against the seat 20. This thermo-responsive member may be constructed as shown in my Patent Numher 1,694,641 issued December 11, 1928, and

consists of a number of interconnected expansible members 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29, which are to a screw lug ada ted to be supported in the cap 12. The members 10 25, 26 and 27 may be filled with a volatile fluid and serve to open and close the valve 31 in accordance wit the temperature in the chamber 13. The two members 28 and 29 may be filled with air or some other similar fluid which serves as a cushion to prevent into the thermo-responsive element 23 in the event of excess temperature within th= The particular type of thermonsive element shown has been selected 9 for the purpose of illustration and I itjcpnbe readily comprehended that the in- .Vepfion can be embodied in any suitable "of trap. V

ween the valve 31 and the outlet from 95 their is provided an auxiliary valve inin its entirety at 32. This valve compvir a revoluble core 33 which is received 'n' a transverse bore 34 intersecting the bomlQ. The core 33 is provided at one end 39 with a head 35 by means of which the same may be rotated, which is flattened as shown to permit of a lication of a wrench or handle thereto. he other end of this core is provided with a neck 36 slightly smaller in 35 diameter than the body of said core, which is received within a corresponding portion 37 oi the bore 34 which is similarly reduced diameter. The extreme end of the neck 36 reduced in diameter as indicated atafilto receive a washer 39 which holds the roore axially immovable within the bore 34. core 33 is provided intermediate the with a transverse hole 40 extend-lit completely therethrough and adaptedtohe brought into register with the bore 19 to afiord a clear passageway from the chamber 13 and through the valve 31 to the outlet of the device. Another transverse hole 41 slightly smaller dimensions than the Q hole 40 lies in the plane of the axis of the and is disposed at right angles thereto e'xtendin through one side of the core structure an up to the hole 40. In the neck 18 oithe trap roper is formed a transverse 0 42 w 'ch communicates with the two bores 34 and 19. The outer end of this serves as a steam nozzle as will presently be described and operates to direct the steam outwardly from the trap when the valve core 33 is turned in the proper direction. When the valve core 33 is positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hole 41 lies ale the wall of the neck 18 opposite the 11016 and the hole 42 is closed through the core 33 to prevent the escape of fluid from the same. At the same time, the hole 40 is in alignment with the bore 19 so that the water collected within the trap may escape past the valve 31 and return to the boiler through the return pipe of the system. When the core 33 is turned at right angles to the position shown in Fig. 2 as illustrated in ig. 3, the hole 41 is brought into register with the portion of the bore 19 above bore 34 and the hole 40 brought into communication with the trap through the valve 31. The hole 42 is so situated that when the valve core is shown in Fig. 3, said valve is also in communication with the hole 40. Any steam passing through the valve 31, when valve 32 is so positioned, will shoot out through the steam nozzle formed by the hole 42 and indicate leakage of steam past the valve 31.

The trap proper with which the invention is used, functions in the usual manner. When, however, the valve member 24 fails to seat against the valve seat 20 as indicated in Fig. 3, either by said valve member failing to function properly or through pitting of the valve seat or valve member, steam will immediately leak past the said valve and into the return pipe. This reduces the vacuum in the system when the trap is used in a vacuum system, causing the system to function improperly. As previously stated, the customary practice heretofore has been to remove each valve and test the same before the leaky trap could be determined. 7 With a building equipped with traps constructed in accordance with my invention, it is merely necessary, in order to determine theleaky trap, to turn the various valve cores 33 thereof in a direction as indicated in Fig. 3. If drops of water leak out slowly through the steam nozzle, the valve is functioning properly and the valve core 33 may be turned to assume the normal position such as shown in Fig. 2. If, however, steam flows out through the opening or steam nozzle 42, leakage is indicated and the particular trap may be removed from the system and another replaced. The trap may then be repaired and tested and if desired may be replaced back in the system.

In the examination of the various traps, the amount of leakage can also be determined by the amount of steam discharged from the nozzle 42. For this reason the nozzle 42 is constructed considerably smaller than the bore 19 so that the steam is directed outwardly therefrom with suflicient force to indicate the quantity of steam passing from the trap.

Although I have shown my trap as constructed with a particular type of valve operating device, it can readily be understood that the trap may be constructed in any suitable manner and be operated through any suitable means, such as now well known in the art.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. Considerable economy in operating expense results in that leaky traps may be quickly singled out Without the necessity of removing the trap from the heating system. In the testing of the traps, the return system is cut off from the traps so that loss of vacuum in the system is prevented while the traps are being tested. The device is exceedingly simple and is'positive in action. When the auxiliary valve core is turned in the proper direction, the trap functions in identically the same manner as the same would ordinarily function. My improved trap can be constructed at a cost hardly exceeding that of the ordinary trap. The auxiliary valve may be so positioned as to be readily accessible and does not appreciably change the appearance of the trap.

Changes in the specific form of my invention as herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patentis:

1. A radiator return trap comprising a body formed with a chamber therein and having an inlet and an outlet communicating therewith, a valve in said housing for closing communication between said outlet and chamber, temperature controlled means for closing said valve, a steam nozzle, an auxiliary valve for bringing said steam nozzle in communication with said chamber through said first named valve and means operated by said valve for closing communication between said outlet and said chamber.

2. A radiator return trap comprising a body formed with a chamber therein and having an inlet and an outlet communicating therewith, a valve in said housing for closing communication between said outlet and chamber, temperature controlled means for closing said valve, a steam nozzle, an auxiliary valve for bringing said steam nozzle in communication with said chamber through said first named nozzle and means simultaneously operable with said auxiliary valve to close communication between said outlet and said chamber upon bringing of the steam nozzle into communication with said chamber.

3. In combination with the drain pipe of a radiator and the return pipe of a heating system, a return trap including a valve disposed between said drain pipe and return pipe for returning Water from the radiator to said return pipe, steam indicating means disposed on the return side of said valve, an auxiliary valve for bringing the trap into communication with said steam indicating means through the valve in the trap and means for cutting off communication between ARTHUR P. CROSBY. 

